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Ligue 1: Rennes 2 Valenciennes 0

Rennes moved up to fourth in Ligue 1 with a 2-0 home win over Valenciennes thanks to goals from Julien Feret and Jonathan Pitroipa.

Feret gave Rennes the lead in just the fifth minute but, while the home side had six shots on target compared to two from Valenciennes, they had to wait until midway through the second half to wrap up the victory through a goal from Pitroipa.

Rennes entered Friday's match having only won two of their past five fixtures in Ligue 1 but got off to a fast start against eight-placed Valenciennes.

Striker Cheick Diarra chased down a long pass on the right wing, turned and found Pitroipa inside the penalty area and the 26-year-old Burkino Faso international teed up Feret, who thumped the ball into the bottom corner.

Valenciennes had 55 percent possession throughout the match but could not make it count in front of goal and in the 71st minute Rennes made them pay.

Feret drove forward and flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot to Pitroipa, who finished past Valenciennes goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau.

The moves Rennes into fourth with 29 points, two ahead of Saint-Etienne, Bordeaux and Lorient, although the latter three clubs all have a game in hand.